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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Kilkenny<br />

Dunbell Big (6), Co. Kilkenny<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: S55705210 (25570/15210)<br />

SMR No: KK024-01?--<br />

Excavation Licence: E000108<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 1972.<br />

Site Director: C. Foley (National Monuments Branch, Office <strong>of</strong> Public Works)<br />

Dunbell Big (6) is one <strong>of</strong> a cluster <strong>of</strong> enclosures found in this townland. In 1850 the land<br />

owner began quarrying the enclosure for fertilizer, and this resulted in a number <strong>of</strong> surveys<br />

and excavations <strong>of</strong> the sites by local antiquarians. As was typical <strong>of</strong> such digs, the excavators<br />

were largely interested in material culture remains, rather than structural or stratigraphical<br />

features. Finds from these excavations included bronze ring pins; an iron bell; silvered bronze<br />

wire; and lignite bracelets.<br />

Prior to excavation, Dunbell Big (6) was only visible as a faint embankment. <strong>The</strong> site was<br />

excavated due to the encroachment <strong>of</strong> a neighbouring quarry. Trial excavations to locate the<br />

original ditches identified an enclosure with an internal diameter <strong>of</strong> 56m. <strong>The</strong> eastern ditch<br />

cutting was V-shaped - 5m wide at the top, and 2m deep. Two amber beads, two fragments<br />

<strong>of</strong> lignite bracelet, and a bone-pin were found in occupation debris in the top 0.3m <strong>of</strong> this.<br />

<strong>The</strong> western ditch cutting was slightly shallower, and was sealed by a habitation layer<br />

containing five sherds <strong>of</strong> thirteenth-century pottery.<br />

Excavations in the interior <strong>of</strong> the enclosure revealed the presence <strong>of</strong> a roundhouse, indicating<br />

by arcs <strong>of</strong> postholes, which was subsequently replaced by a structure <strong>of</strong> indeterminate shape,<br />

associated with a central hearth. A bone awl and iron slag were recovered from these<br />

structures. Other finds from the site include a number <strong>of</strong> iron objects and a fragment <strong>of</strong> a<br />

blue-glass bead.<br />

(No plans were available for this site).<br />

Reference:<br />

Foley, C. 1972. Excavation <strong>of</strong> a ringfort at Dunbell Big, Co. Kilkenny. OPW report.<br />

395

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